i am looking for a way to use a hand drill to drill words in a peice of wood?

Question

i have a peice of wood 10.5 x 10.5 that i am trying to use a 3/8 drill to try and write my daughters dwarf hamster name in it so i am looking for a template or some sort of a lay out , i don't have mastercam or anything like that either (lol)

Answer 1

If you're going to do it by hand, the correct tool for this job is a chisel. It's much faster and more accurate than a hand drill. Actually, I really don't understand why you want to use a hand drill. Drills are for making holes not etching, which is what you want to do.

Answer 2

HI--You should draw out the name on a piece of paper the same size as the wood. Redraw and retrace it until you like the way it looks. OR You may wish to set up the name on a computer and then enlarge it on a copy machine at Kinkos until its the size you want. AFTER THAT... Tape it in place on the wood and use carbon paper to transfer it. Remove the paper. You can then drill a series of holes all along the lines of the letters... say every 1/4" or so apart. You will be making dotted lines with the drilled holes. (You should first experiment on your drawing to determine just how many holes should be drilled. You might want to use a smaller drill.) GOOD LUCK

Answer 3

A drill is designed to bore straight into something. It is not designed for horizontal work. Yes, it will chew up wood going sideways but it is just chewing it up and you have no control.

The Dremel and chisel suggestions are your best bet. Lay out the letters in pencil and carefully. Doing lettering by routers require expensive templates unless you are an artist and can free hand them. It is facinating to watch these carvers work at fairs. There is another option. Is there a fair in your area? Also check out woodcarvers or woodworkers in your phone book and have them make you one. Did you even consider wood burning? A hobby woodburner is very cheap and easy to use.

Answer 4

I don't think you'd have enough control to do it. Maybe write it in pencil and try. I think a dremel would work better. I used a drill when I was replacing a bunch of door knobs and gouged a couple of the doors by accident. All it takes is moving the drill the slightest bit wrong to ruin your project. Or what about using low tech wood carvers knives?

Answer 5

Drill is the wrong tool to do the job.

Answer 6

you need a router